Naldine had observed Primordial Architects across eons of coexistence at THE Second Scale, and she had learned to read them within moments of meeting.
Some projected power through displays meant to intimidate. They blazed with their Civilizations at every opportunity, announced their presence through pressure that crushed everything nearby, demanded acknowledgment through force that left no room for alternative responses.
These were the weak ones. They required external validation because internal certainty eluded them. Beowulf fell into this category despite his accomplishments. Horus as well. Their need to be seen as powerful revealed the hollow spaces within their foundations where true conviction should have resided.
Others operated through silence and observation, moving through existence without announcing themselves, accomplishing objectives before anyone realized they had arrived.
